Objective:

To determine the hardness of materials using Brinell hardness test.

Abstract:
The Brinell test is used to determine the Hardness and Tensile Strength of
materials. In this test, there were used three materials ( Aluminum, Brass & Steel)
to find out the hardness and tensile strength of those materials and relate those
materials with their theoretical value which is referred by the BHN Matweb. By
the results and charts, it was shown that there are found some errors between the
theoretical and experimental values and it is average 5.86%. this errors can be
reduced if the experiment is performed with too carefully.

Introduction/Theory:
Hardness is the resistance of a material to penetration or abrasion under a
locally applied load (Ref. 1). We use the concept of hardness almost every day.
Any time we file our nails with a nail file or scratch a CD with our finger nails,
hardness is involved. Hardness is used to measure a variety of resistances
including: scratching, cutting, and indenting (Ref. 2). Also, Hardness may be used
for grading similar materials, checking or controlling quality level and controlling
uniformity of tensile strength.

The Brinell hardness test was one of the most widely used hardness tests with a
fixed load that its indentation is proportional to the material’s hardness. Hardness
is a measure of a material’s resistance to localized plastic deformation by varying
the test force and ball size, nearly all metals can be tested. Brinell hardness values
are considered test force independent as along as the ball size/test force
relationship is the same.

The Brinell number normally ranges from HB 50 to HB 750 for metals. The
depth or size of the resulting indention is measured, which in turn is related to a
hardness number; the softer the material, the larger and deeper is the indention, and
the lower the hardness index number. Hardness test is performed more frequently
than other mechanical test because it is simple, inexpensive and most important,
it’s non-destructive test. The BHN is calculated according to the following
formula:

 (equation 1)
Where,
HB = Brinell hardness number
  F = Imposed load (kg)
  D = Diameter of the spherical indenter (mm)
  d = Diameter of resulting indenter impression (mm)
From Brinell hardness test, another mechanical properties of material will
be obtained, which is tensile strength and it is calculated,

Tensile strength = (3.45 x HB) MPa or Tensile strength = (500 x HB) psi

Apparatus:
 A Brinell hardness device (F. 1)
 Aluminum, Brass & Steel specimen
 Magnifying lens with measuring ruler
 Weights
 Marker pen

Procedures:
 At first, the accuracy of the machine was tested before starting the
experiment.
 Then the time was set in 15sec.
 Next the weights were loaded according to the materials.
 Then the test piece was put at least 20mm away from the edge of the piece
on the lower pressure plate and the pressure was winded up by using screw
until the test piece touched the ball and screw slipped.
 The start button was pushed and the machine was running for 15sec.
  After stop the machine, the testing piece was taken out from the pressure
plate and marked the hole by using marker pen to clearly show the exact
hole.
 Finally the diameter of the hole was measured and the value was listed
down.
 For the other pieces, the last 4 steps were repeated consecutively.

Result:
Calculation:
Theoretical value−Experimental value
% percentage errors = Theoretical value
*100

1. Reference Brinell Hardness number and Tensile strength of materials

Materials Ref. Brinell Ref. Tensile
Hardness number, strength of the
Ref.BHN (N/mm2) material (MPa)
Aluminum 95 310
Brass 78 400
Steel 123 505

2. Experimental Brinell Hardness number and Tensile strength of materials

Materials Diameter of Brinell Hardness Tensile strength of Imposed load (kg) BHN %
identation, d (mm) number, BHN the material (MPa) errors
(N/mm2)

Aluminum 3.3 85.23 294.04 750 10.25%

Brass 6.4 82.455 284.47 3000 5.4%
Steel 5.4 120.62 416.14 3000 1.93%
 Ref. Brineel & Experimental Brinell Hardness Number

3
Brinell Hardness number,
BHN (N/mm2)
2 Ref. Brinell Hardness
number, Ref.BHN (N/mm2)

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

Brinell Hardness Number & Tensile Strength

Tensile strength of the materal (Mpa)

Brinell Hardness number, HB (N/mm2)

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450

Discussion:
The Brinell hardness test is one of the most important, easiest and familiar test to
determine the hardness of the materials .since hardness isa measure of a material’s
resistance ,its used to find the plastic region of this material by using test force and
ball size.

Conclusion:

References: